LARYNGITIS, ROARING, WHISTLING, ETC. 543 



mode of detection, and treatment of the several conditions known to horse- 

 men by the names of roaring, whistling, etc., which are only symptoms of 

 one or other of the diseases to which allusion will presently be made. 



By acute laryngitis is meant a more than ordinary inflammation of 

 the larynx, and not that slightly morbid condition in which the mucous 

 membrane of that organ is always involved in " the passage of a cold into 

 the chest." In the latter state the ear detects no unusual sound, and 

 indeed there is plenty of room for the air to pass. But in true laryngitis, 

 on placing the ear near the throat, a harsh rasping sound is heard, which 

 is sufficient at once to show the nature and urgency of the symptoms. 

 The mucous membrane is swollen, and tinged with blood ; the rima 

 glottidis is almost closed, and the air in passing through it produces the 

 sound above described, which, however, is sometimes replaced by a 

 stridulous or hissing one. In conjunction with this well-marked symptom 

 there is always a hoarse cough of a peculiar character, and some con- 

 siderable fever^ with frequent respiration, and a hard, wiry pulse of seventy 

 to eighty. 



Fio. 08.— Jones' Patent Tracheotomy Tube. 



IVeatment. — No time should be lost in producing counter-irritation, and 

 mustard, which is everywhere obtainable, is as good as anything else for the 

 purpose ; the most distressing cases are usually relieved by its application 

 in a very short time. If it fails and suffocation threatens, the tracheotomy 

 tube referred to at page 542 must be inserted without loss of time. Large 

 doses of emetic tartar, digitalis, and calomel were formerly prescribed, but 

 modern treatment with electuaries is much safer, and probably more 

 effectual. A given quantity, as a teaspoonful, is smeared upon the back 

 of the tongue, with the double advantage of acting topically as well as 



